Daryn Dodson is working with The Idea Village team and network of professionals and university students to identify promising entrepreneurial individuals in New Orleans and provide the human, financial and social capital to accelerate their growth. For additional information, please contact Daryn at daryn@ideavillage.org.
The Idea Village Portfolio
NEW ORLEANS INSTITUTIONS
Rock 'N Bowl
www.rockandbowl.com
There are more than 100 clubs featuring live music in the Big Easy, but only one place to Rock 'N' Bowl. Opened in 1941, it is New Orleans' oldest bowling center, a local institution that attracts filmmakers, tourists and even the spotlight in a Miller Beer commercial.
Like all businesses, Rock 'n Bowl faced an uncertain future when Katrina damaged the facility and destroyed the customer base. However, on November 10, 2005, despite the dark and desolate neighborhood marked by the lingering stench of post-Katrina New Orleans, the Blanchard family turned on the building's familiar oversized neon bowling pin to let the neighbors know they were back in business. 700 people showed up that night - and they bowled and danced harder than ever before - relieved to see friends, neighbors and signs of life in a city whose future remained unknown. Now, the Rock 'N' Bowl's role in New Orleans has become more important than ever before - a familiar destination characterized by fun and friends and the memories of a lone light in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
Hubig's Pies
www.hubigspies.com
Hubig’s Pies is a century-old, family-owned bakery – if you’ve tried them, you will understand why they have long-been a New Orleans institution. Hurricane Katrina damaged the production facility and wiped out the company’s local customer base. With the help of a $5,000 grant from The Idea Village, Hubig’s Pies reinvented themselves – virtually - by creating a website to sell Hubig’s memorabilia and provide Hurricane evacuees a welcome connection to New Orleans. (Check it out:– loyal fans even have Hubig’s tattoos!) Sales are higher than ever this year, with orders from all fifty states. In fact, Drew Ramsey, one of the proud owners of Hubig’s Pies, has decided to “Pay it Forward” and give $5,000 to The Idea Village to help them assist another New Orleans business treasure. Now, the only problem Hubig’s faces is keeping the pies on the shelves (and finding fresh sweet potatoes in town to make their classic Sweet Potato Pies).